away; and to carry a bad name back with me to my dear parents, would be a
sad thing indeed!--O how I wished for my grey russet again, and my poor
honest dress, with which you fitted me out, (and hard enough too it was
for you to do it!) for going to this place, when I was not twelve years
old, in my good lady's days! Sometimes I thought of telling Mrs. Jervis,
and taking her advice, and only feared his command to be secret; for,
thought I, he may be ashamed of his actions, and never attempt the like
again: And as poor Mrs. Jervis depended upon him, through misfortunes,
that had attended her, I thought it would be a sad thing to bring his
displeasure upon her for my sake.

In this quandary, now considering, now crying, and not knowing what to
do, I passed the time in my chamber till evening; when desiring to be
excused going to supper, Mrs. Jervis came up to me, and said, Why must I
sup without you, Pamela? Come, I see you are troubled at something; tell
me what is the matter.

I begged I might be permitted to be with her on nights; for I was afraid
of spirits, and they would not hurt such a good person as she. That was
a silly excuse, she said; for why was not you afraid of spirits before?--
(Indeed I did not think of that.) But you shall be my bed-fellow with
all my heart, added she, let your reason be what it will; only come down
to supper. I begged to be excused; for, said I, I have been crying so,
that it will be taken notice of by my fellow-servants; and I will hide
nothing from you, Mrs. Jervis, when we are alone.

She was so good to indulge me; but made haste to come up to bed; and told
the servants, that I should be with her, because she could not rest well,
and would get me to read her to sleep; for she knew I loved reading, she
said.